4 Duluth Restaurants to Impress Your Business Contacts

Henry Weatherly, WED | When you’re traveling for business, you often take clients or associates out for a meal. However, when you’re new to town, it can be difficult to know where to go. The next time you’re on the clock in Duluth and want to impress, make a reservation at one of these four excellent restaurants.

Frankie’s The Steakhouse

Frankie’s The Steakhouse has a lot going for it. It’s new and trending, it’s arguably the finest spot in Duluth, and its atmosphere is classy and professional. Frankie’s is located in the 1818 Club and across the street from the Infinite Energy Center. If you’re in town for conventions at the center, you’ll love how easy it is to get to the restaurant.

For dinner, Frankie’s serves steak, chicken, and seafood plates. You have six options for cuts of steak, and lamb chops are available as well. You can also pick some shrimp, oysters, and cocktails from the raw bar.

Luciano’s Sugarloaf

For Italian fine dining, Luciano’s Sugarloaf is a top choice. The atmosphere is a touch less formal compared to Frankie’s, but this spot is still fantastic for getting to know your business contacts. The ambiance is open and inviting, making for easy conversations over tortelloni, rigatoni salsiccia, Gemelli Bolognese, and other flavorful entrées. Just save room for dessert — the eatery boasts an incredible dolce menu featuring zeppole, citrus panna cotta, cheesecake flan, tiramisu, and much more.

Business meals often get boozy, which is certainly common at Luciano’s. To take advantage of the comprehensive wine list and spirits without having to worry about transportation, look for a hotel in Duluth within walking distance of the restaurant.

Fumi Hibachi and Sushi Bar

Hibachi grills are always a good pick when you want to impress your guests. Fumi Hibachi and Sushi Bar delivers in an upscale restaurant praised for its classy atmosphere. The main menu features flounder, tuna, salmon, and other cold-served seafood as well as mussels and oysters, shrimp, and calamari. The two premium specials are a 12-ounce ribeye steak and grouper.

From the hibachi grill, you can order vegetables, chicken, salmon, shrimp, steak, scallops, or lobster. If you prefer sushi, Fumi’s has over a dozen signature rolls as well as vegetable rolls, hand rolls, and sashimi.

Epicurean Café

Epicurean Café is a New American Restaurant that’s set in a historic home, so the atmosphere is a big part of what makes this spot so special. You’ll also be treated to fantastic Southern food. The dinner menu features starters like honey soy-braised pork belly and fried green tomatoes, entrées such as duck confit pasta, seared salmon, boeuf bourguignon, and shrimp and grits, plus desserts like rum raisin bread pudding and chocolate torte.

Epicurean Café also has some unique drinks to complement your Southern meal. Try a classic like the Epicurean Old Fashioned made with Angostura bitters — or the Epicurean Sunrise, which has black rum, mango, and lime.

Duluth has dozens of excellent restaurants for aspiring corporate leaders. If you’re planning a business trip soon and need to make a reservation at a location that will really wow your company, try one of the spots listed above.

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World Executives Digest is a blog-style collection of bite-sized content for business executives constantly on-the-go. It is published by serial entrepreneur Homer Nievera to bridge the learning gap for upwardly mobile mavericks and bigshots.

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World Executives Digest is a blog-style collection of bite-sized content for business executives constantly on-the-go. It is published by serial entrepreneur Homer Nievera to bridge the learning gap for upwardly mobile mavericks and bigshots.